Sunday, February 14, 2010

Concert Review: Tony Bennett Swoons and Croons at Mohegan Sun

Sunday night, the Mohegan Sun Arena was honored by a beautiful performance given by living-legend Tony Bennett, whose voice has wowed audiences since the 1950s. Tony Bennett has also given new life too many American standards and at times been compared to the one-and-only Frank Sinatra. And at 83 years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down. Bennett glides around the stage to spotlight the solos of his wonderfully talented band, but he seemed most comfortable standing center stage in front of the grand piano.

Sunday being Valentine's Day, Tony Bennett concentrated his set list on mostly love songs including "My Funny Valentine", "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Because Of You". The sold-out crowd was very appreciative of the music being performed onstage Sunday evening. Tony Bennett invited his daughter, who is also a singer, to the stage to perform the duet, "Old Friends". Tony's daughter, Antonia Bennett, opened the show with a handful of jazz standards.

Tony Bennett kept the songs moving along with the classics, "Just in Time", "Stranger in Paradise" and "The Best Is Yet To Come". The audience was hanging on Tony's every word with stories of Rosemary Clooney and Charlie Chaplin which lead him into a heartfelt performance of "Smile". Tony Bennett also slowed the tempo down of the Stevie Wonder hit "For Once In My Life" to stress the song's meaningful lyrics.

After a standing ovation, Tony Bennett continued with his most well-known songs "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" and "Steppin' Out". The audience belted out an applause whenever Bennett showed off his dance steps. He also performed the first song he ever recorded "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". His amazing 25 song set ended with the Gershwin classic "Who Cares?", "Fly Me To the Moon" ,"It's Just A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet" about his hometown of Astoria and "How Do Keep The Music Playing?"

After a 60 year career that keeps going, there are few entertainers who have as much class as the immortal Tony Bennett. Go to mohegansun.com to find out about more shows coming to the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Setlist:Watch What HappensThey All LaughedMaybe This TimeSpeak LowMy Funny ValentineI Got RhythmThe Way You Look TonightSing You SinnersOld FriendsBut BeautifulBecause Of YouJust In TimeStranger In ParadiseThe Best Is Yet To ComeSmileThe Good LifeFor Once In My LifeThe Shadow Of You SmileI Left My Heart In San FranciscoSteppin’ OutBoulevard of Broken DreamsWho Cares?Fly Me To The MoonIt’s Just A Little Street Where Old Friends MeetHow Do You Keep The Music Playing?